By Clement Akoloh | Accra
ACCRA — A major flood control project along the Nima Paloma to the Odaw River corridor has stalled after the government terminated the contract of the contractor over what the Minister for Works, Housing and Water Resources described as “poor performance.”
The disclosure was made on the floor of Parliament when the Minister, Hon. Gilbert Kenneth Agyei, responded to a parliamentary question filed by the Member of Parliament for Klottey Korle, Hon. Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, seeking clarity on the timeline for the reconstruction of the Odawna drainage system.
According to the Minister, the project, which commenced in July 2024, involves the construction of a 1.5-kilometre box culvert along the Odawna River drainage channel and was expected to be completed within 18 months — by December 2025.
“Due to poor performance, the contract for this work has been terminated,” Hon. Agyei told Members of Parliament.
Critical Flood Prevention Works Unfinished
The Minister explained that at the time of termination, some critical components of the project remained incomplete, raising concerns about the vulnerability of communities within the flood-prone corridor, especially during the rainy season.
He said the Ministry has initiated steps to obtain approval to undertake urgent works to minimise the risk of flooding while arrangements are made to engage a new contractor.
The immediate interventions include:
- Demolition of a power wall within the channel to prevent sediment accumulation and reduce flooding risks.
- Completion of drain downstream structures required to connect sections of the drainage to the Odaw channel.
“In the coming days, we will submit to the Ministry of Finance the necessary documents for approval to continue the process,” the Minister stated.
Finance Clearance Delays Next Phase
Hon. Agyei further explained that the Ministry cannot proceed with the retendering and repackaging of the project without commitment authorisation from the Ministry of Finance.
The required fiscal clearance, he said, is necessary before a new contract can be awarded.
The revelation comes at a time when Accra and other parts of the country are experiencing heavy rains, renewing concerns among residents and businesses located along the Odawna drainage corridor about their exposure to recurring flooding.
The stalled project now places attention on the urgency of completing the outstanding works and securing a replacement contractor to prevent further disruption to Ghana’s flood mitigation efforts.
Source: parliamentnews360.com
